HEAD PLAYERS POWER FIVE TEAMS INTO DAVIS CUP QUARTER FINALS

Posted On:
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 6:20:54 PM Asia/Calcutta

by Delux Sports

HEAD PLAYERS POWER FIVE TEAMS INTO DAVIS CUP QUARTER FINALS

Belgrad/Serbia, 6th March 2016

A quintet of HEAD Partners played major roles on court for nations which powered their way into the Davis Cup quarterfinals, with No. 1 Novak Djokovic who endorses the HEAD Graphene XT Speed, leading the way. The Serb won 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 over fellow HEAD player Mikhail Kukushkin (Graphene XT Speed) of Kazakhstan as part of Serbia's 3-2 weekend victory, playing opening singles as well as doubles despite coming of an infection in both eyes from last week.

"I know you’ve lost your voices after five hours of cheering, you must be tired, but please stay because Viktor is playing now and needs your support to win," Djokovic told Belgrade fans. "My opponent would have been a worthy winner too. I was in bad shape after the third set but fortunately I pulled through and won. My body told me several times during the match that it’s had enough but with this crowd behind me, my heart and mind prevailed.”

Andy Murray sparked 2015 Davis Cup champion Britain as he led the side 3-1 over Japan in Birmingham. Murray, who recommends the HEAD Graphene XT Radical, played all three ties, like Djokovic. He played the joint-longest match of his career - almost five hours - as he defeated Kei Nishikori, 7-5, 7-6(6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3. He also beat Taro Daniel on opening day and won the doubles with his brother.

"I was trying to keep the points short in the third and fourth sets, but it didn't work and in the fifth set I managed to grit my teeth and get it done," Murray said. "I was a little bit calmer in the first set. I had been getting very frustrated at the end of the third set but in the fifth I went back to what I was doing at the start, to get myself pumped up with positive energy. Last years’ experience was incredible for everyone on the team. We did something special last year and I would like to try doing something similar this year."

HEAD's Tomas Berdych (HEAD Graphene XT Instinct) had to quit his reverse singles match against German Philipp Kohlschreiber after two sets with a hamstring injury, which he is having evaluated with the Indian Wells Masters about to start. "I t was unfortunate I to retire my match today, but well done to the team for the win," he said after the Czech's 3-2 victory.

Racquet Rebel Alexander Zverev made his debut for Germany, with the teenager who endorses the HEAD Graphene XT Speed showing his determination in a five-set opening rubber as he went down to Berdych.

Croatian Marin Cilic (HEAD Graphene XT Prestige) went 1-1 on the weekend as his nation beat Belgium 3-2. Richard Gasquet (HEAD Graphene XT Extreme) earned singles and doubles points for France in a 5-0 thrashing of Canada in the Caribbean.

"It was a good feeling to win in singles and doubles. We got more confident as the match went on. It was a big tie, our first time with a new coach (Yannick Noah) and the first time to play in Guadeloupe. Winning a Davis Cup tie means a lot," Gasquet said.